Paper Tigers

1. Plain White T's- Rhythm of love

This is proof bland mainstream music can progress into something a little better. This literally is the epitome of summer in a song for me. It was released in like September last year and I love it. The warm weather yesterday made it really feel like summer and I cannot wait to get down to Cornwall and surf. That is all. This is a really basic song that is to put it bluntly nice. better than their old stuff anyway. I like it and it sums up summer living for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWiwuiT58Yc&ob=av2e

2. Paper Tigers - Perth (Bon Iver cover)

Ahh dubstep. Usually ruins these sorts of songs with it's heavy, unforgiving beats but it rather compliments this song. I checked out his other stuff and it's pretty good as well. Really enhances the song. Of course the original is wonderful but this is a different take on it. It makes me feel very druggy and trance like. I'm going to be checking out lots more dubstep trance like things in the near future but watch this space...This is definitely one of the better artists in my opinion and keeps the authenticity and original intent of the song whilst making it exciting and refreshed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z08e_qlTEko

Dream a lil dream of me

1. Razorlight-In the morning

I love this band. I can seldom tell the difference between them and Manic Street Preachers...they're both good though so I can't complain. They were at Guilfest this weekend and it would have been an amazing opportunity to see them at a pretty tiny festival. They're one of those classic bands that everyone knows but no one has their album...Like the classic books people talk about but haven't actually read...anyway this is a really good song so take the time to listen to ittttt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZNq43OnuSg

2. Chapel Club-Surfacing

These guys are sick! I thought they'd have load more views than this! Crazy. Anyway they're at Reading really early in the day so going to have to start drinking pretty darn early I think. Anyway I like this song. They heavy dense drum beats behind the dull but lovely voice is almost compelling to listen to. Lyrics are pretty cool too, remind me of a more mellow Vaccines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70102WX57Rk&ob=av2n

Banter

3 songs 19th-21st July

1. Guillemots-Falling out of reach

I like the slight progression in this song. It amuses me as it starts very mellow like a sad slow song and builds into something quite interesting. I really do like guillemots they always give away free stuff on their twitter and Fyfe Dangerfield seems like a really nice guy. Genuine but with a bit of a backbone. He has also done some really nice solo stuff recently which I like a lot. His cover of "She's always a woman" was used in a Waitrose advert and I think I prefer it to the original. Funny little video though. But yeah Fyfe has such a mellow voice that is so wonderful to listen to and pretty much touches your heart (yes I did just say that...) but perfect for a boring wet afternoon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYLZFqrsh9E&ob=av2e

2. Josh Rouse- Car Crash

I'm not sure where I first heard Josh Rouse but Frank Turners twitter recently brought it to my attention again and I can't stop listening. This is my favourite song to cycle to as it reflects my local area so well. People literally milling around doing nothing on the village green for hours walking dogs and going to the pub. Maybe down to the river. The perfect long summers day. But back to this smooth lyricist. I can imagine he is a very smooth talker, perfectly articulate with words and knows just how much to say. The vulnerable edge to his voice is almost mesmerising so congratulations Mr Rouse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsbuMOWs3jU&ob=av2e

3. The Wombats-Techno Fan

Now, these guys are apparently amazing live and I am yet to see them. They're so upbeat and happy all the time, even when singing depressing music it still manages to sound happy. They've been around for a while but their cheeky chappy ways are having a winning effect on the pop/rock/indie population of London and the UK. They are like a bunch of Jack the lads up for a good time and not taking themselves too seriously light hearted banter is what I would expect a lot of on a night out with them. Perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8l-9nuXkDo

Fraying

Monday 18th July

The Fray-How to Save a life

I like this song. It's very poppy and not very original but I love it. It makes me think even though it doesn't really say a lot itself. This songs always used to come on after The View-Same Jeans so I always link these two songs. I like his voice so so so much, it's got a calm kind of gruffness to it which is just beautiful. You can hear the passion coming through the song which makes up for it being very popesque. Enjoy if you haven't heard it before, I think they're American but they sound very British but I'm not sure what they're doing now they did have a few very lovely little hits in the day from 2002. Wow 15 million views, crazy. Didn't know it was that popular! Good for them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVQ36NhbMk

Ignore

Ignore the last shit song from 2 minutes ago this is much better

Steve Appleton-Roots

He was single of the week by itunes a few years ago and now he's got new stuff and I really do quite like it. I'd forgotten about him until I was trawling myspace, he's one of the artists I listen to but don't quite clock on my ipod. A kind of like the song feeling but not enough to look up the name of it...even though I know it. But if he continues it should be quite exciting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3KX6nTs_jk

And wow this is an incredible cover, I am actually falling a little in love with this guy again. Prefer this to the original as well, it's softer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPulGhJlQ0o&feature=related

Finally see what it means to be living.

Bad Choice

Sunday 27th July

2 songs I have a good idea of what one will be the other I'm not sure yet..

1. Youngblood Hawke-Rootless

New project from the guys from Iglu and Hartly, so of course I will love it. In this City is my favourite song of all time, not joking and so of course I'm going to love this one. 242 views, I feel very special and privileged, I started following these guys on twitter I think because they started following me...I'm not sure I can't remember but I do like this new song of theirs. It's very consistent and some may say boring but I really do like songs that keep something that works going....they have a concept that works and they don't mess with it. I like the line "I'm feeling groovy" hahaa wonderful. BBQ listening, man I would love to have a pool party with these guys, would be sick! I imagine they're so much fun. Enjoy on a summers day at about 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iuZiNg9K9w

2. Futures-Sal Paradise

I found this song when I was actually searching for the band "Sal Paradise" who appear to have fallen off the edge of the Earth and have no music left anywhere on the internet, their loss the viral music industry is moving and evolving faster than ever; look at Ed Sheeran...Anyway I recognise these guys and I don't know why...hmm interesting never mind I'm not even too keen on their music but the singer has that kind of indie pop look so I guess they're going to do well. It's quite bland but easy to have on in the background I guess, doesn't really grab your attention! Well I needed to fill a space and got caught on this video, I'm sorry but it may be worth a listen if it's your sort of thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJnU6l4q8K0

She's Got You High

Friday 15th July

I'm getting quite consistent...that could sound so strange depending on how your mind works.

Mumma Ra-She's Got You High

Now reading the comments underneath just shows how little intuition people use when looking for new music now a days. It had to come from films, adverts or TV programs for them to listen to it. You'll never see someone comment "The Times newspaper brought me here" or "I read an online blog about this band and thought I'd check them out." We really do rely on the media to tell us what to listen to. Saying that I'm glad waitrose used this song in their advert as it really fits very well. The uplifting lightness of summer and the free feeling that comes with the summer holidays and long evenings. I first heard this song on a CD we had in the car and the advert bought it to my attention again I don't know when this song was released but it must have been 3 years ago I was listening to it, maybe even longer when I didn't know exactly what high meant. I had the innocent view it meant happy which is partly true I suppose. But yes a very lovely but potentially irritating song there. I quite like it though, funny little video too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKypqSL49Pg

Yes, a repeat band but I like it

Thursday 12th July

1. Bastille- Laura Palmer

Now I know I've posted this guys stuff before (the song flaws oooh this is exciting new video on a boat looks like a lot of fun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXF-CSlpyxQ) but he really does amaze me. I'm dissapointed I hadn't heard this before a few months ago as it is truly wonderful and summery. The kind of electronic sound doesn't ruin the raw edge to his voice. Purely wonderful one of the top artists of my year up there with Ben Howard for sure. Very different sounds though. I am broadening my horizons slightly...still relatively acousticy. I really cannot wait for this guy to release an album I will be using my itunes voucher for that, really new not so groundbreaking but refreshing and uplifting sound for summer. This make me happy to put it simply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXF-CSlpyxQ

I sound like a 5 year old, I really need to expand my vocabulary!

Goldheart Assembly

Oooh I'll add this one for tomorrow as I doubt I'll get round to doing it, these guys were sick at Reading last year there was no one watching so I got right to the front and it was like 11.30 and they were going thanks for getting up early to come and watch us...crazy hahaa bless I really did enjoy their set in the NME tent on that warm lonely morning. Infact Reading was pretty lonely full stop for me haha I just wandered watching sick bands all day and night then staggered back to my tent. Brilliant weekend for me. Anyway here they are Goldheart Assembly-King of Rome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeRNw0nTESE

Vein

5 songs. I'm going to start with one that's pretty close to me and means a lot.

1. Whitley-More than Life

This was a free single on itunes years ago! And it really is what sparked my interest in different music. This guy has since stopped producing music but he was an Australian artist with a very strange voice that seemed to hang beautifully in the air when I listened to him. Even through my headphones, a kind of pleasant ringing that I wanted to be there. It's such a shame that talent like this goes to waste but I have hope he will begin performing again soon and perhaps come to England he seems like an absolute lad and a genuinely nice guy. Now to see if he comes up in youtube (people often get him confused with "Wiley" whoever that guy is...) Yes! Result, enjoy enjoy it truly is a treat for sore ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-6nn_v_zwM and yes it sounds like this on the proper recording kind of retro and crackling. (P.S reading the comments just enhances my point that he seems like a top guy)

2 (and 3). Jose Gonzalez- Heartbeats

I remember my mum had a CD in her car and I can't remember the title but it was a like compilation disc and this was the song we always skipped to on it, number 18 I think. It's so wonderfully put together the flow through the chords and the words is magical. Gonzalez is an extremely talented young man. This is very different to the original much more acoustic and mellow and chilled, music to get stoned to I would assume...It is interesting when covers over popularise the originals a great shame in a way as this is not how the song was written to be played, it was written to have a much more up beat get on ya feet and dance feel about it. At least Jose completely changed it to something the opposite end of the scale to the original and I believe it works a lot better. In the original the womans voice irritates me intensely, nice backing beats though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4_4abCWw-w&feature=related Jose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ow0bA4H3BQ The Knife

4. 6 Day Riot-Run for your life

These kids are so cute. Saw them at Green Man and they're bubbly and lively and adorable. She has a sickly sweet voice that I would normally despise but for some reason I can put up with it here. Perhaps because of the lyrics she's singing and the backing music. The drum behind gives a tribal feeling to a British band and a kind of animalistic quality to her voice comes out (for me anyway. These kids is a pretty good song also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZc7Y1EGfQk

5. Beach House- Zebra

Following in the same vane/vein? (my brain has disintegrated so badly!) these guys were at Green Man too on the Pub stage or whatever literally no bigger than 4m by 4m and they were playing to a pretty whacked out crowd in the midday sun. Now they have 233,000 or so views and are growing in popularity all the time. Good for them! Nice to see some real talent coming through. Not my usual sort of thing, a bit psychedelic for me I think but pleasant all the same, I like the layering they use on the track and it grows in the first minute or so into something quite interesting. Perfect background music but well worth a good 5 or so listens and then it can make driving music drawer. I do rather enjoy it though, it's growing on me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-wfb25WmV4

From Summer to Winter...

....both of which turned out to be a bit of a let down as you will see below...

1. Team Waterpolo-So Called Summer

I do believe this song got me through summer 2009. There was so much rain it was ridiculous, didn't feel like summer once so I just listened to this pretty much on repeat to remind myself it wasn't just me and to not go stir crazy over the lack of sun. I'm so sad this band have split up I really do think they had great prospects and had a good following of people who supported what they did. I hate it when this happens to bands, it's so sad for both them and the fans. We no longer get to hear their brilliant music and they no longer get to do what they appeared to enjoy. Anyway thanks to Myspace and Youtube they are immortalised, until the worldwideweb crashes and dies at least. Hahaa 29 views, how very depressing indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKjOYHG2GME

2. Hyde and Beast- The trees are falling down

There is no evidence of these guys on youtube which is a shame but as they're brand spanking new I suppose it's fair enough. I actually found these guys thanks to this blog http://mybandsbetterthanyourband.wordpress.com/ so you can go on there and scroll down almost to the bottom and listen to the band, I would recommend it. Not only the song but the whole blog it's pretty special. Anyway this is like a freaky kind of trip music left over from the seventies. It's very strange yet slightly mesmerising at the same time. Crazy, but well worth a listen and a little of your time.

3. Hurts-All I want for Christmas is New Years Day

So unseasonal but I love this song. Such a simplistic tune on the surface which is easy to follow and really refreshing in such a crowded music scene. Some may say it's depressing but I think it's just looking to the future and ignoring the christian celebration we all get so obsessed with and looks to the facts about life that a new year is coming and we have plenty to look forward to. Love to Hurts for this tune, got me through the lovely Christmas period...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05J79Y8zQTw

Pathetic love songs here we go

4 songs for today

I was quite lucky I had to visit Newcastle University which gave me two wonderfully long car journeys to listen to some music and decide what to review or recommend next.

I was in a rather self indulgent I want to be loved kind of mood so these are pretty much all soppy love type songs, sorry this is the only time it will ever happen.

1. Melee- Built to last

This is one of those songs that I never get bored of listening to. There are very few but this is a calm nice song of which I don't have a lot to say as it doesn't really go anywhere. Very very easy listening and it's a shame they haven't done anything else noticeable since this song. It may have been the adorable video that made me like this song actually, a sort of accomplished better version of scouting for girls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uh2G7WoXsU

2. Death Cab for Cutie-I will follow you into the dark

Definitely their most heartfelt and meaningful song and despite the accent it really sounds like they could mean it..? Well if someone like Newton Faulkner covered it it may sound a little more genuine but it is a very beautiful song. The simplicity of the video adds to it's beauty. It makes you listen to the lyrics which, essentially, is what a song should be about surely. Clever in places yet blindingly obvious and wonderfully simplistic in places this song is a keeper. The voice is lovely too and soft gruffness to it that is so delicious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rePcHxFJIuU

3. Newton Faulkner-I took it out on you

This man is perhaps the most wonderful man to have ever lived...I can't think of a nicer guy! And this will not be the last you hear of him on here however this is to begin as it follows the theme and its a lovely summer day right now. I can't imagine Faulkner getting angry and perhaps shouting at someone he loves, or anyone for that matter. He seems to perfect but this perhaps adds another human dimension to his music. I shant dwell as I may exhaust everything in an unsatisfactory manner which would make me angry with myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAudN84PTrE

4. The Script-The man who can't be moved

Such an overplayed song but yet so brilliant. I am going very very mainstream today which upsets me a little as I was aiming to bring new music....I will do when I can think straight. I love songs that as soon as you hear those first chords and notes transport you back. This song does that to one place and time in particular-the docks in St Ives 2 years ago when this song was in the charts and on the radio 24/7 (?) and a particular bench on a particular evening where some boys were smashing cans on their heads and looking for our approval-it was ridiculously amusing. This is a beautiful song and I'm glad it's got 20 million + views, they are well deserved. Apparently they still do an amazing live show and are extremely humble and nice to interview, I'm glad of it else my dream may be shattered should I find out they were arrogant and lazy. Ahhh Cornwall how I miss thee and the Irish accent how I love it. Good memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9o1FAszdk

Probably going to go more depressing tomorrow, everyone loves it really....